Thomas A. Wofford
Encyclopedia
Thomas Albert Wofford was a United States Senator from South Carolina
. Born in Madden Station, Laurens County, South Carolina, he attended the public schools and graduated from the University of South Carolina
at Columbia
in 1928, and from Harvard University Law School in 1931. He was admitted to the bar
in the latter year and commenced the practice of law in Greenville
. He was assistant solicitor
of the thirteenth judicial circuit from 1935 to 1936, and was assistant United States district attorney from 1937 to 1944. In 1947, Wofford was one of the defense attorneys in the Greenville Lynching Trial. He was a member of the board of trustees of Winthrop College from 1944 to 1956. Wofford also was a delegate to the 1948 Democratic National Convention
from South Carolina.
Wofford was appointed on April 5, 1956 as a Democrat to the US Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Strom Thurmond
and served from April 5, 1956, to November 6, 1956; he was not a candidate for election to fill the vacancy, and engaged in the practice of law. He was a member of the South Carolina Senate
from 1966 to 1972, and changed party affiliation to Republican
. He resided in Greenville, and died there in 1978; interment was in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Born in Madden Station, Laurens County, South Carolina, he attended the public schools and graduated from the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
at Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
in 1928, and from Harvard University Law School in 1931. He was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in the latter year and commenced the practice of law in Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. He was assistant solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
of the thirteenth judicial circuit from 1935 to 1936, and was assistant United States district attorney from 1937 to 1944. In 1947, Wofford was one of the defense attorneys in the Greenville Lynching Trial. He was a member of the board of trustees of Winthrop College from 1944 to 1956. Wofford also was a delegate to the 1948 Democratic National Convention
1948 Democratic National Convention
The 1948 Democratic National Convention was held at Convention Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 12 to July 14, and resulted in the nominations of incumbent Harry S Truman for President and U.S. Senator Alben W...
from South Carolina.
Wofford was appointed on April 5, 1956 as a Democrat to the US Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond
James Strom Thurmond was an American politician who served as a United States Senator. He also ran for the Presidency of the United States in 1948 as the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party candidate, receiving 2.4% of the popular vote and 39 electoral votes...
and served from April 5, 1956, to November 6, 1956; he was not a candidate for election to fill the vacancy, and engaged in the practice of law. He was a member of the South Carolina Senate
South Carolina Senate
The South Carolina Senate is the upper house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the lower house being the South Carolina House of Representatives...
from 1966 to 1972, and changed party affiliation to Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He resided in Greenville, and died there in 1978; interment was in Woodlawn Memorial Park.